Odds & Ends: Loe, Baldelli, Vizquel, Hill

Kameron Loe has a clause in his contract that allows him to ask for his release if he isn't in the major leagues by June 5th, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Loe is pitching well for the Brewers' Triple A affiliate.

Morosi also notes that Rich Hill, who is pitching at Triple A for the Cardinals, has a June 1st opt-out clause in his contract (Twitter link).

Baseball America's Jim Callis compares Manny Machado to other high school shortstops in recent draft history. Yesterday in his mock draft ESPN's Keith Law wrote that the Pirates have Machado and lefty Drew Pomeranz high on their list for the second overall pick.

AOL FanHouse's Frankie Piliere is hearing buzz about the Reds considering Alex Wimmers with the #12 pick (Twitter link). Law had the Ohio State righty going 16th to the Cubs, picking catcher Yasmani Grandal for the Reds.

Law rankedJames Paxton 12th overall, but doesn't project the lefty as a first-round pick. Paxton, a Boras client, is now pitching independent ball after losing his NCAA eligibility. According to Matthew Sekeres of The Globe and Mail, Paxton has no ill will toward Paul Beeston and the Blue Jays.

Looking more and more like the O’s are going to have their shot at Taillon at #3. Really hope my White Sox take a high upside type arm as it sounds like their focusing on pitching but I’m fulling expecting a college arm they’ll probably try and mold into Mike Leake.

I might rather have Machado if I’m you guys. He’s got upside with the bat, plays a skill position, will cost less, and has higher probability. Then they can spend over-slot money on arms with upside later in the draft like they did last year.

I wouldn’t really mind Machado…I wouldn’t. But it’s been so long since the Pirates have had anything even resembling an ace in their system or on the major league ball club. Not since Doug Drabek left town 18 years ago…hmm, sounds familiar…it’s not a coincidence.

If they take Machado and are able to execute the same plan they did last year, then I’m fine with that. I’d just rather see the big splash with an electric arm like Taillon this time around like they did with Alvarez and give the fans something else to be excited about.